SOCCER: Vozinha seeks permission to keep nickname at Colo-Colo

Chilean club Colo-Colo is seeking approval for new signing Vozinha to use his football nickname on his jersey when he makes his expected debut later this month, despite league regulations prohibiting such usage.

The 40-year-old goalkeeper gained global recognition after his impressive performances for Cape Verde at the FIFA World Cup and became a fan favorite through his displays and popularity on Instagram. He is set to join Colo-Colo on a six-month contract.

However, Chilean league rules require players to have their paternal and/or maternal surname printed on the upper back of their jerseys, with only the initial of their first name allowed as an additional identifier. The regulations also specifically ban the use of nicknames, appellations, or sobriquets.

"If there are players with the same surname at a club, the initial of the first name or the second surname, in that order of precedence, must be added to distinguish them," the league rules state.

Despite the restrictions, there have been previous cases where exceptions were granted by the Chilean National Association of Professional Football (ANFP). Colo-Colo President Aníbal Mosa said the club has already discussed the matter with the organization and is hopeful of receiving approval.

"We have this problem. I spoke with the ANFP and they showed good disposition. There is a Council of Presidents that was already called for Friday," Mosa told reporters on Wednesday.

"I have spoken with several presidents of other clubs, and they have shown favorable disposition to give him the possibility of playing with the name Vozinha, considering that he did so in the most important event in the world."

Vozinha, whose real name is Josimar José Évora Dias, received the nickname during his childhood. The name, which means "little grandmother" in Portuguese, was given to him by older children after he would cry following losses in street football matches and run home to his grandparents, with whom he lived.

The goalkeeper is expected to arrive in Santiago on Thursday and will join Colo-Colo under a six-month deal, with an option to extend his stay for another 12 months.

Vozinha most recently played for Portuguese second-division club Chaves and has also had spells with clubs in Angola, Cyprus, Moldova, and Slovakia. -Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by David Holmes/Reuters